Updated January 18, 2021
Whether your case will be decided in Monmouth County, Middlesex County, or any other county depends on “venue.” “Venue” is the legal term for determining the county in which your divorce or family case will be heard. In divorce and family cases, venue is generally governed by the town where the plaintiff (the moving party, or the party that initiates the process) legally resides when the case begins.
If the plaintiff resides in any of the following towns, the matter will likely be venued in Middlesex County: Carteret, Cranbury, Dunellen, East Brunswick, Edison, Helmetta, Highland Park, Jamesburg, Metuchen, Middlesex, Milltown, Monroe, New Brunswick, North Brunswick, Old Bridge, Perth Amboy, South Brunswick, South Plainfield, South River, Spotswood, and Woodbridge. Middlesex County Family Part matters are heard in the Middlesex County Family Courthouse, 120 New Street, in New Brunswick.
If the plaintiff resides in any of the following towns, the matter will likely be venued in Monmouth County: Aberdeen, Allenhurst, Allentown, Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Avon-by-the-Sea, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Brielle, Colts Neck, Deal, Eatontown, Fair Haven, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Howell, Interlaken, Keansburg, Keyport, Lake Como, Little Silver, Loch Arbour, Long Branch, Manalapan, Manasquan, Marlboro, Matawan, Middletown, Millstone, Monmouth Beach, Neptune, Neptune City, Ocean Township, Oceanport, Red Bank, Roosevelt, Rumson, Sea Bright, Sea Girt, Shrewsbury, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Tinton Falls, Union Beach, Upper Freehold, Wall, and West Long Branch. Monmouth County Family Part matters are heard in the Monmouth County Superior Court, 71 Monument Park in Freehold.
Judges have now been assigned to the Monmouth and Middlesex County Family Courts for the 2020-2021 term. The following judges have been assigned to the Middlesex County Family Part: Hon. Deborah J. Venezia, presiding judge; Hon. Sheree V. Pitchford; Hon. Daniel H. Brown; Hon. Barbara C. Stolte; Hon. Gerald J. Council; Hon. Andrea J. Sullivan; Hon. Gary K. Wolinetz; Hon. John A. Jorgensen, II; Hon. Christopher D. Rafano; and Hon. Patrick J. Bradshaw.
The following judges have been assigned to the Monmouth County Family Part: Hon. Richard W. English, presiding judge; Hon. Angela White Dalton; Hon. Teresa A. Kondrup-Coyle; Hon. Gregory L. Acquaviva; Hon. Stacey D. Adams; Hon. Chad N. Cagan; Hon. Honora O’Brien Kilgallen; Hon. James J. McGann; and Hon. Michael A. Guadagno (Ret. on recall).
When consulting with an attorney about your divorce or family matter, make inquiry about venue and where your case will be decided.
